melissa grace kreider

      My apartment is about to become one of the lamest places to hang out.

      One of the reasons I settled on the apartment I am in now is because of the natural light. I live in a one bedroom space on my own, so the living room isn't really used unless I have people over. It is splendid, but I was spending some time in it this morning, reading, when I looked around and noticed the light. Perfect, diffused, jaw-dropping natural light that wraps around objects like they're being glorified for sale. I had this moment (I have a lot of these moments, lately) where I chastised myself for being silly, wasting valuable resources, and reassessing the objects I own.

      I do not care about tv (I have Netflix on my tablet-), video games take up too much of my time these days, and the couch is rarely used and constantly in the way. Why are these objects here? So I can waste valuable light on a couch and a tv from the 70's? No.

      I am ditching the telelvision, and the couch, relocating the frames on the wall, and turning my entire living room into a natural light studio. I literally have an abundance of reflectors (all sizes!), a tripod, a fan, etc. just laying in one of my cedar closets! The only thing that is going to stay are my bookshelves and my coffee table, right in the corner. I'm going to hang a mood board on the wall opposite to image-making. I am really invigorated by this idea, and I hope by the end of this weekend I'll be in "business." This space will give me a chance to create and change environments at my will.

Yes, it will be sad to see my couch go along with my television and 360, but there are so many screens in this apartment, not to mention my brand new landscape of a bed, I will be happy, and with a quick fix of a blow-up mattress, my guests can be, as well. I am doing this because I care more about creation and making images this summer than sitting around, watching every episode of Lost for the nth time, or getting my headshot count up in Left 4 Dead. Shouldn't you?

Keep you posted,

Mel.

In less than twenty-four hours, I'll be jetting off for my shiny-new-experience in Florence, Italy! The thirteen hours of flying/layovers will be completely riveting...right? 

I could leave you clever packing tips and save you from your traveling woes.  I could use my words to shine a light upon your "Too-Many-Clothes or Not-Enough-Room?" debate. To be honest, I threw every dress, shirt, pair of pants or piece of jewelry I could fit into my luggage and hoped for the best. I will tell you one thing, though, rolling your shirts rather than folding them will save massive amounts of room! Keep that in mind; and don't forget who told you! 

I'll see all of you across the pond-in the future (+6 hour time difference)-on Wednesday. When I arrive to my apartment with the sixty stairs and my almost-too-heavy luggage, I'll shrug my shoulders to the men who will inevitably shuttle me there and tell them that I played the sousaphone in high school; sixty steps and fifty pounds are a piece of cake.

-m.